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In Progress List 2014
Eleanor and Park are not Romeo and Juliet. But they could be. They are the anti-Romeo and Juliet. Lowman and Malhotra are perfect as these two comic book reading, mix tape listening, almost star crossed friends who become lovers. Lowman adds nuance to Eleanor's sarcasm and loneliness. Malhotra fleshes out Park's desires and confusion. Both find ways to connect through the dialog and shared moments. 14+. Paula Langsam
Autumn thinks with her body and her hands. She bothers with school only because she can't wrestle if her grades fall. Adonis lives in his head. He only exercises his body so he doesn't have to rely on others. Autumn has loved Adonis from the first moment she saw him, wheelchair and all. Adonis can't get far enough away from Autumn during the day, even if he can't stop dreaming about her. These two seemingly mismatched characters are fully realized by Turpin and Hoffman. The voices being almost at odds with Turpin bursting with Autumn exuberance and Hoffman maintaining Adonis's seriousness. As Autumn and Adonis wrestle with their emotions, growing up, and each other, Turpin and Hoffman find balance with each other, deepening the connection between Autumn and Adonis. 14+ Audio. Paula Langsam
In this sequel to the Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky, we encounter Hattie Brooks as she leaves Montana for San Frncisco to work as a seamstress for a vaudeville troupe. She quickly leaves that job to work as a cleaning woman for the San Francisco Chronicle. That is not the job she wants to do, of course. She has her sight on becoming a newspaper woman, as her hero Nellie Bly. We see San Francisco through the eyes of a fresh new reporter: going on her first plane ride and interviewing President Wilson in a stuck elevator, or all things. Full of adventure seen through the eyes of a plucky heroine, a touch of romance all handled beautifully in the voice of Kirsten Potter. Ages 10+ Maria E. Gentle
Mexican artist Diego Rivera’s seemingly simple, somewhat primitive style belies the rigorous artistic training that he obtained during his early life. While studying in Europe, he discovered Italian frescoes, a medieval form for public wall paintings, and knew that he had found the form for the murals that he wanted to paint for his poor countrymen. His desire was exterior art, available for all to see at any time. The biography also covers Rivera's loves and infidelities including his two marriages to Frida Kahlo. Carefully chosen photographs complement the text, and the thorough backmatter enhances it. Ten to Fourteen. Lynda Adamson
Youngest readers will be introduced to a few farm animals in this board book. Each animal shape is depicted in white and embossed on the right page against a colored background, and the left page shows that animal shape repeated in a pattern. The text is simply the name of each animal. Up to Seven. Ruth Anne Champion
After Jackie's mother dies suddenly at their Kansas home in 1945, his naval officer father enrolls him in a Maine boarding school near the naval base. Jackie soon meets Early Auden, a strange boy whose embellished autonomy leads both into uncharted waters with the number Pi as a guide. Strong writing and underlying symbolism related to Ulysses and Aeneas enhance the story. Ten to Fourteen. Lynda Adamson
Tom is popular, has beautiful girlfriend and is the captain of the soccer team in a small town in Maine. Somali refugees settle in this town, and their children start to attend school. Some of the boys join the soccer team and Tom learns first hand about their customs and lifestyle. He grows as a person with this knowledge, but makes some errors of judgment along the way. 14 and Up. Kathie Weinberg
Carey and her much younger sister Jenessa are abandoned by their mother in a remote area. They have "hidden" with her for 10 years in a primative camper van. Rescued by their father, and abruptly brought into a modern world of schools, new step-family and friends, they have much to overcome. A sensatively told yet compelling story of survival. 14 and Up. Kathie Weinberg
Tim is a 17 year old albino, who is a senior year transfer to a co-ed prep school. He meets the school's "it" girl Vanessa on his travels to this school, setting up a love triangle with the school's alpha male. Tim is doomed to be an outsider because of his appearance, but this relationship only makes things harder for him. 14 and Up. Kathie Weinberg
After Eric's brother Duane dies, his parents and Eric agree to organ donation. Duane would have wanted that. Now Eric wants to meet some of these organ recipients. Three agree to meet him. Now their lives become intertwined in different ways. Chris Lynch knows how to portray boys, especially those going through the tough stage of teenagehood. His language is exquisit with a touch of humor in the mix. Captivating. Ages 14+ Maria E. Gentle
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